Sophia&Dad's 300G Build

[Sophia&Dad]

After 10 years learning with a 90G, we're moving up to a 300G. The tank will be more or less in the center of the first floor, visible from four sides, one per room: kitchen, sunroom, family room and lobby. Here's a few renderings of what it's supposed to look like:

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pp8b3DsD64fpYGMMlM_s1NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_gXB1ZHFSu8/VNg2-tpWDuI/AAAAAAAADbI/Ol6D3Aq975I/s640/Dollhouse_ViewD_1_8_15.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VFb6V3x2x_3qZL8MjJdvsdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ny-ENTdKmn4/VNg2_MhWoUI/AAAAAAAADaQ/RcrBQDbaLbc/s640/Entry_ViewA_1_8_15.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uj8jNk3Nfm3tSiundCG8JNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ENYxsOtNopk/VNg2_Rj4CrI/AAAAAAAADac/1oggJIaANxg/s640/Kitchen_ViewB_1_8_15.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v_3HB8c6UPYkZEpHgLcNfNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_nytT4g2W5E/VNg2_oiT6-I/AAAAAAAADa4/7BXha9JU1RQ/s640/Kitchen_ViewC_1_8_15.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FqPj4jgWWATmgVeT5yjUzdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ThKg9z47TM/VNg6cZgd7KI/AAAAAAAADb4/p6cqJRmk1Vs/s640/Sunroom_ViewA_1_8_15.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a>

 

[Sophia&Dad]

And here is the schematic (so far).....

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mG09WEnfusNMQXmy0ZQd39MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UacNfxk8974/VNg8T3f7HZI/AAAAAAAADcU/Isy03Ki_TKE/s800/System%2520Schematic.jpg" height="618" width="800" /></a>

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

This right here is going to be an awesome build. Will be following this. What are your plans for lighting and equipent?

 

[worm5406]

I like the pre-planning. That really does help to make sure you have all the T's crossed and the i's dotted.

I see the sump picture and it is 90g, how are you going to place/layout the frag area to keep it free and clean? (just with the other things in there too)

 

[Sophia&Dad]

Plans for lighting and equipment are still in progress. The skimmer is probably going to be a Bubble King Dual Cone 200. Basic lighting will be a combination of metal halide (probably 4 x 250W DE) and LED. I intend to have at least six hefty power heads (tunze or vortech).

My main concern right now is aquascaping to disguise the overflows, powerheads and closed loop intake/outlets. The tank is visible from four sides hence two center overflows in the display tank as shown below. This location obstructs the center of the tank, but everything's a tradeoff, right?. So now I need to figure out how to take advantage of these overflow arrangements to come up with some really great "look". I am thinking about possibly some kind of rock archway between the overflows. Any ideas appreciated.

The sump is pretty straightforward, see drawing below. The frag compartment will be isolated by baffles from the other compartments, and the sump will be open top so I don't foresee too much difficulty keeping things clean and tidy.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9-Vd1DdIkW-9E26Xt5V5CdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0H9oRUrPTOA/VNjJPnwdw4I/AAAAAAAADdU/kaAyrrdsW3w/s800/Tank%2520Design.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fFvcB6euXKxuqj_CX4dFONMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-btInKiL5xj4/VNjJPgkvySI/AAAAAAAADdU/10tZABa-TDU/s800/Sump%2520Design.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>

 

[dave.m]

I would suggest not doing the archway. Instead, build around the overflows, but make sure one is slightly larger than the other. Avoid symmetry.

Several threads here on RC show people doing creative things to create a background wall by mounting rock, cement and pond foam on on a stiff plastic grid as backing. You might want to try something similar as a wrap-around on the overflows, maybe using something like embroidery grid. This would allow you to build right to the top with something that can act as a base for corals and algae to grow on. As long as there are no straight lines and they are asymmetrical they will disappear into the general landscaping as natural shapes.

Dave.M

 

[Sophia&Dad]

Thanks Dave.m. Avoiding symmetry is not in my nature, but I think you're right and will try!

 

[Sophia&Dad]

Build Update

Build Update

After a long period of silence I figured it's time to post some updates on this project. Following are a series of pics documenting the progress over the past year. That sounds like forever but life gets in the way sometimes, right?

First, a few renovation and tank installation pics with comments where appropriate. This work was underway March 1 - through May 31, 2015

Walls knocked out, floor reinforced, framing started....

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-R8IVyh6SJxhIpaa_uqrM9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ibICD50hZIo/VtoP1WQiryI/AAAAAAAADkI/wxmCGaebdf4/s400-Ic42/P1060364.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4vRvCbFsMclR6zHKYLutV9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-msO-z-QiAMA/VtoPaC1vEzI/AAAAAAAADkI/KckFouY_E3k/s400-Ic42/IMG_1404.JPG" height="299" width="400" /></a>

We put jackscrews through the floor resting on new beams that are dedicated to supporting the tank only. These beams span existing structural steel to the foundation. The idea was to put zero tank weight on the existing floor structure.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9gMTAiyON5fHAw8LyZZuE9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hbcrOmxQWoI/VtoPXo1PLvI/AAAAAAAADkI/3Uq0-aocUXc/s400-Ic42/IMG_1409.JPG" height="299" width="400" /></a>

Tank support in place, some drywall and new flooring going in. No kitchen yet though. We lived in the basement. No sacrifice is too great for a reeftank.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/V16tZaUxQRoZaK8IMZBaA9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mAhfOh_t4sY/VtoPXbqn6eI/AAAAAAAADkI/YZeiaoWj0E8/s400-Ic42/IMG_1494.JPG" height="299" width="400" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eL3U4SmKD4ckyDux9cLJydMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-agViZ3v3jqY/VtoPaa3fiRI/AAAAAAAADkI/OKE4KWcHDuk/s400-Ic42/IMG_1495.JPG" height="299" width="400" /></a>

The display tank is 72" x 30" x 28". Starphire glass on 4 sides with two central overflows as designed. The tank and sump were nicely crafted by Miracles in Glass (Toronto, Canada). These guys were great to work with.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/P0UM7rAr8zrW-PR9MfbN6NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cr4PQaEnZZg/VtoPZldxXiI/AAAAAAAADkI/Ni03MvaMLKo/s400-Ic42/IMG_1504.JPG" height="299" width="400" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bXr-ULnEtVz1uC4VRK3iwNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vRNU-CcsRg8/VtoPbNKBnNI/AAAAAAAADkI/FuXclIvaY6k/s400-Ic42/IMG_1507.JPG" height="400" width="299" /></a>

 

[Sophia&Dad]

Build Update (2 of 3)

Build Update (2 of 3)

Cabinetry and kitchen taking shape around the tank...

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GaoXmiWlTQuoCH2UlAn4PtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7uMrTqOamA0/VtoPd0qSmHI/AAAAAAAADkI/PoXZyDZ9bUY/s400-Ic42/IMG_1530.JPG" height="299" width="400" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Nm9c3bvWvQNPHeIQKoNsKdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8gEyJTxaemI/VtoPb_sGnwI/AAAAAAAADkI/LDLQ0oKH_is/s400-Ic42/IMG_1533.JPG" height="400" width="299" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QkdZadZzsdSYxxQMwFeYS9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FSzrIycClvU/VtoPcrv4TgI/AAAAAAAADkI/73UGRLfVd2c/s400-Ic42/IMG_1534.JPG" height="400" width="299" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xxqZHcblqgcBGTfzPtnKp9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eELUl1CtDvY/VtoPf4yr2aI/AAAAAAAADkI/aFKnvEgXOrc/s400-Ic42/IMG_1535.JPG" height="400" width="299" /></a>

 

[Sophia&Dad]

Build Update (3 of 3)

Build Update (3 of 3)

May 31, 2015. Phase 1 (renovation & tank installation) complete.....

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2EYrD-8_LH2DINcbQFsCYNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-92K9_wjpnC0/VtoPhEJ5VfI/AAAAAAAADkI/UtstYOA5aII/s400-Ic42/IMG_1621.JPG" height="299" width="400" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VAXsniTprTNIwkZ0wpCPVNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PT52BgBs30Q/VtoPiqU2XOI/AAAAAAAADkI/dZJaxWOm1Sk/s400-Ic42/IMG_1623.JPG" height="299" width="400" /></a>

Stay tuned. Phase 2 (mechanical systems installation) coming up next....

 

[dave.m]

:bounce1: Can't wait to see more!

Dave.M